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A Guide To The Most Asked-About Hikes in Hostelworld Chats
Some hikes keep coming up in the Hostelworld chats. Not just once or twice: consistently, in the same cities, across months of conversations. The same questions repeated by travellers who just arrived and are figuring out their first few days. "Which hostel is best for the Ha Giang loop?" "Is the Salkantay trek worth it...
Motorbike & Scooter: What You Wish You Knew Before Renting
Renting a scooter is one of the most freeing things you can do on the road. It's also one of the most commonly misjudged. The island opens up. The temples become accessible. The beaches you'd never find on a tour become yours for the afternoon. And then, for some travellers, something goes wrong. A skid...
How Backpackers Communicate: Best eSIMs & Tips by Country
The moment you land somewhere new, connectivity becomes everything. You need maps, you need translation, you need to message your hostel, and you need to tell someone back home you arrived safely. What you don't need is paying €15 a day in roaming charges or spending your first hour in a new country queuing at...
How to Make Friends Fast in Every City When Travelling
Making friends while travelling is easier than most people expect, and harder than the travel content on social media makes it look. The highlight reel shows spontaneous group dinners and laughing strangers on rooftops. The reality involves a bit more intention than that: choosing the right accommodation, showing up when you'd rather stay in, sending...
How to Backpack the FIFA World Cup 2026 Across North America
The FIFA World Cup 2026 is unlike anything the sport has seen before. For the first time ever, three countries are co-hosting the men's World Cup, with 16 cities across the United States, Mexico, and Canada staging matches from 11 June to 19 July 2026. That's 104 games, 48 teams, and an entire continent buzzing...
What To Do If You Arrive Late To Your Hostel Check-In
The flight was delayed. The bus took three hours longer than Google Maps suggested. The border crossing had a queue that moved at approximately the speed of geology. You're exhausted, it's midnight, and you're standing outside your hostel wondering whether anyone is still awake to let you in. Late arrivals happen to almost every backpacker...
Explore how sustainability is shaping the future of travel. Our monthly Sustainability Stories series highlights real-world examples of conscious travel in action, from preserving local culture and supporting communities to the everyday choices that create lasting meaningful impact for both travellers and destinations.
Sustainability Stories: “It changed the way I travel” – Volunteering in Colombia, One Year On
(L: Entrance to El Rio Hostel. R: Boat trip with our guide Gabriel and dog Suki) A year ago, you met Amy Phung, winner of Hostelworld's yearly staff travel competition, who spent several weeks travelling across Colombia - hopping from hostel to hostel, and discovering a country that surprised her at every turn. Almost a year on,...
Sustainability Stories: Inside Hostelworld’s 2026 Culture Champion – Black Llama Cusco
“When guests stay with us, they're not just visiting - they're starting to understand Cusco and the heritage”, says Eric Beland, founder of Black Llama Hostel Cusco. Sitting at over 3,400 metres in the Peruvian Andes, Cusco, otherwise known as the "navel of the world", is one of South America’s most historic and visited cities,...
Sustainability Stories: Earth Day – What Casa en el Agua Teaches Us About Everyday Sustainability
Every day action. Intentional choices. Impact that lasts. On Earth Day, it’s easy to focus on big promises and bold commitments. But during our recent fireside chat with Casa en el Agua, a simple but powerful message emerged: sustainability is built through intention, consistency, and everyday action. Casa en el Agua is a hostel quite literally...
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